'Focus on...': Why KM Birla is advising techies to move beyond AI in the age of disruptions
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AI plus campus at BITS Pilani
Addressing the Class of 2025 at BITS Pilani's Convocation, Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla delivered an inspiring message to young graduates stepping into a world marked by both contradictions—uncertainty and opportunity, disruption and innovation."You are all, of course, passing out at a time of great global uncertainty. We are all being buffeted by the crosswinds of geopolitical turmoil and relentless technological disruption. The world appears uncertain and paradoxical in equal measure," Birla said during his address.He continued, highlighting the surreal nature of global events, "Take the month of June — it seemed like we were at the brink of World War III, with headlines warning of escalating conflict and disruptions to global trade. Yet benchmark indices in the US hit record highs. It is a world where anxiety and optimism co-exist."Birla, whose group spans industries from telecom and metals to fashion and retail, urged students — to live a generative life, a concept that resonates in an age dominated by artificial intelligence "Today, in an age of generative AI, there is much discussion about what machines can produce. But I invite you to consider instead the idea of a generative life — one fuelled by deliberate creative energy,' he said."A generative life is one that creates lasting value. It is the capacity to build what endures. It means choosing to make things better. It is about cultivating resilience or the ability to regenerate after setbacks. It is about stewardship—or the responsibility to impact institutions and communities in a way that they are stronger than when we found them."The renowned deemed university, BITS Pilani, is to set up its first Artificial Intelligence (AI) Plus Campus in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said on Monday.He thanked Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman of Aditya Birla group and chancellor of Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS)-Pilani, for selecting the southern state to set up the campus.In a post on X, Naidu said, the campus will offer world-class academic and industrial exposure."With cutting-edge programmes in AI, Data Science, Robotics, Cyber-Physical Systems, and Computational Linguistics, the campus will offer a dynamic, global model of education with international exposure and hands-on industry internships," he said.The Chief Minister said that Andhra Pradesh will become the hub of AI-driven education, producing leaders for global industries while strengthening local employment, innovation ecosystems and economic opportunities.Naidu further said that BITS Pilani's investment reflects Andhra Pradesh's readiness for next-generation education, ensuring top-notch infrastructure, ease of doing business and proactive governance for such transformative educational projects.
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